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Quick Study: Defense Mechanisms Page 1 of 3
© 2013, The Therapist Development Center.
LCSW Exam Study System
QuickStudy:DefenseMechanisms
PSYCHOLOGICALDEFENSEMECHANISMS Psychologicaldefensemechanismshelptheegocopewithanxiety,
frustration,andunacceptableimpulses. Psychologicaldefensemechanismshelprelievetensionbetweeninner
psychologicalrealityandthedemandsoftheexternalworld. Denial,reactionformation,andprojectionareconsideredprimitivedefenses
becausetheyaremoreoutoftouchwithreality. Sublimation,undoing,rationalization,displacement,identification,and
intellectualizationrepresenthigherlevelsoffunctioning. Eachpersonhastheiruniquesetofpsychologicaldefensesthatmakeup
theirpersonality.
Rationalization Rationalizationisadefenseprocessbywhichplausiblereasonsjustifyan
actionoropinion. Rationalizationhelpsthepersoncopewithdisappointmentsbyblaming
externalcircumstances. Apersonisusingrationalizationwhen,afternotgettingajobheappliedfor,
hethinks,“I’llbebetteroffatadifferentcompany. Apersonisusingrationalizationwhen,aftergettingturneddownforadate,
shesays,“Thatpersonisreallysnobby.” Anabusedspousemayrationalizehittingherchildrenas‘punishment’after
beinghitbyherspouse.
Repression Repressionrefusestoletintoawarenessunacceptableimpulsesbutremains
unconsciouslyoperativeinbehavior. Apersonusingrepressionmightfeelsexuallyattractedtowardmembersof
thesamesexbutpushesawaythisintolerablethoughtfromconsciousnessonlytolaterdreamaboutsuchsexualimpulses.
Apersonisusingrepressionwhen,afteryearsofcelibacy,thepersonbeginstoeatcopiousamountsoffood.
Ayoungboyexhibitsrepressionwhenhehasaphobiaofdogsbutcannotrememberthefirsttimehewasafraidofthem.
Quick Study: Defense Mechanisms Page 2 of 3
© 2013, The Therapist Development Center.
LCSW Exam Study System
Displacement Displacementisadefensemechanisminwhichaffectistransferredfromone
objecttoanother. Apersonisusingdisplacementwhenhecompulsivelyeatslollipopsafter
havingquitsmoking. Apersonisusingdisplacementwhenshebeginstocompulsivelywashher
handsafterbeingshamedformasturbating. Amanisusingdisplacementwhenheyellsathisspousebecauseheisunable
toexpressangertowardhisboss.
Identification Identificationtypicallyreferstothedisplayofaparticularcharacteristicor
traitthathasbeenabsorbedintoone'sownpersonality. ABruceLeefanisusingidentificationwhenhebecomesadisciplinedmartial
artchampion. Ayoungpersonisusingidentificationwhendecidingtofollowinherfather’s
footstepsandbecomealawyer.
Intellectualization Intellectualizationisaprocessbywhichcontentisseparatedfromrepressed
affect. Apersonusesintellectualizationwhenspeakingofhistraumaticchildhood
asifreadingascriptedstory. Avictimofsexualassaultmayuseintellectualizationbyresearchingfactual
PTSDcriteriainsteadofaddressingheremotionalpainintherapy.
Asceticism Asceticismischaracterizedbyrigorandself‐denial. Anadultusesasceticismwhensherefusestoeatorsleepuntilamajorwork
projectiscomplete. Anadolescentusesasceticismtocopewithsexualtensionanddesireby
refusingtoengageinallpleasurableactivities
ReactionFormation Reactionformationisaprocessbywhichunacceptableimpulsesare
expressedastheiropposites. Reactionformationhelpsreleaseanxietyandguiltassociatedwiththetrue
impulse. Anangrysuperviseeusesreactionformationwhenbeingoverlynicetohis
supervisor. Aparentwithanunwantedchildmaydemonstratereactionformationby
beingveryoverprotective. Amanwhoisgayusesreactionformationwhenheopenlydateswomenand
criticizesgaymen.
Quick Study: Defense Mechanisms Page 3 of 3
© 2013, The Therapist Development Center.
LCSW Exam Study System
IntrojectionandInternalization Introjectionistheinternalizationofoutsideeventsorcharacteristicsofother
people. IntrojectionoftenleadstoIdentificationbutrefersspecificallytotheprocess
of"takingin"or"swallowingwhole"thecharacteristicortrait. Avictimmayuseintrojectiontoidentifywiththeaggressor’sbehaviorsto
helpprotecthimself. Apersonusesintrojectionwhenputtingonherseatbeltbeforedrivingaway
inhercar.
Projection Projectionplacesunacceptablefeelingsfromthepersonfeelingthemonto
anotherperson. Ahighlyanxiouscolleagueisprojectingwhencomplainingaboutanother
colleague’sanxieties. Apersonisusingprojectionwhenhecomplainsthatnoonelikeshimbutin
realityhedoesnotlikehimselforothers.
Denial Denialdistortsrealityanddoesnotacknowledgeemotion. Denialisuncommoninveryyoungchildrenbecausetheyareunableto
distinguishbetweenfantasyandreality. Apersonisusingdenialwhenhecontinuestoeatunhealthyfoodsdespitehis
doctor’sorderstoeathealthier. Analcoholicisindenialwhensheattendsarecoveryprogrambutcontinues
todrinkalcohol.
Sublimation Apersonusingsublimationwilldisplaceunacceptableinstinctsfor
constructiveandsociallyacceptablebehaviors. Apersonwithmajordepressionmayuseprofessionaldancetohelp
sublimatesuicidalthoughts. Apersonwithaggressiveimpulsesmayusesublimationbybecominga
kickboxinginstructor.
Undoing Undoingisaprocessbywhichweavoidbeingpunishedforundesirable
thoughtsoractions. Aspouseunconsciouslyundoeshismanyadulterousactsbybuyinghis
partnerlavishgifts. Apersonisoverlynicetoapersonshehadjustinsultedinhermind.
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